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Sleeper chair aids care at hospital

Purchase made by Lions Club in memory of Lee Moreland

By Jan SchultzThe Imperial Republican Anyone who’s had to spend a night with a family member in the hospital knows how difficult it is to catch some sleep. Now, at Chase County Community Hospital, family members can be a little more comfortable when having to spend the night at the hospital with a child or other family member. Thanks to a donation from the Imperial Lions Club, the hospital is now using an Arlington Sleeper Chair. A $1,133.32 check from the Lions was presented to the hospital foundation Monday from members of a Lions committee working on the project. Kathy Geier, Director of Nursing at the hospital, said the sleeper chair is very versatile. While the 19-inch high chair is housed in the family room at the hospital, it has wheels that allow it to be moved to other rooms. Once there the wheels lock in place. Then, if a family member needs to catch some sleep, the chair pulls out to a 74-inch sleeping length. “We are so appreciative of the donation,” Geier said. “It really allows us to give better care,” she said. Geier noted that patients feel better sometimes knowing a family member can be there with them, and also be comfortable at the same time. Members of the Lions club have been discussing the purchase of the sleeper chair for about a year after member Evelyn Mitchell spent a night at the hospital with husband Dean. She wanted to be with her husband overnight, and said it was difficult to sleep in a regular chair. The club endorsed the project, and approved the purchase earlier this year. It’s been in use at the hospital for about a month. It was an extra special donation for the Imperial Lions Club, said club president Kelly Hammerlun, as the sleeper chair was given in memory of Lee Moreland, a 20-year member of the Imperial Lions and its first female president in 1996-97. Lee was also a longtime Registered Nurse and a former Director of Nursing at Imperial Manor, and also worked at the hospital. She used her nursing skills throughout her life for other community service. One of those service projects was coordinating many of the Lions Mobile Screening Unit (MSU) visits to Imperial. The MSU screens people for hearing, vision, diabetes and other medical conditions. Two of the Moreland family members were on hand for the check presentation Monday, daughter Kathy Loring and grandson Eric Moreland. Eric is also a member of the Imperial Lions. Lions who worked on the project were Dean and Evelyn Mitchell, Merril Humphreys and John Osler.